I have really bad allegies and my nose is stuffy all the time. I've tried allegra, claritin, claritin d. Now I have to walk around with Afrin in my pocket so I can breathe but heard it is addictive. I want to take a pill or use a spray to keep me breathing great. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
2007-09-19 05:39:10 · 10 answers · asked by c m 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Allergies
I had this same problem for years. I always thought it was allergies, and so did my Doctor.
I tried all the allergy and cold medications out there. I tried nasal sprays, cough medication, etc. Nothing really worked. The nasal spray kept things clear for about 4 hours. Even the ones that said they were 12 hour strength. The one thing that did help was a nasal rinse. That cleared out most of the gunk from my nasal passages and helped keep things clean. I still use that once a week to keep things clean and free.
A co-worker finally mentioned that I might have a really bad sinus infection.
I went to the Doc, he checked my sinuses and BINGO! A hell of a sinus infection.
He gave me antibiotics, steroids, and when everything had cleared up and the sinuses had shrunk, he prescribed a cat scan.
I had surgery to clear polyps from my nose, and since then, I've been able to breath free and clear.
BTW - nasal sprays are very addictive, and if you use them for more than a week, they have the reverse effect of what they are supposed to do. They will inflame your nasal passages and make things worse.
2007-09-19 05:50:17 · answer #1 · answered by makawao_kane 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I like 10mg of Zyrtec and also a nasal spray like Flonase which is not like Afrin, it is a steroid spray. You are correct you can have rebound congestion from using AFRIN it is also not good because it can cause hypertension and other problems with long term over use.
I would also suggest getting a Netti pot. The brand name I use it Sinu Cleanse ( I found mine at a local Pharmacy CVS ) and I think it is amazing. It has changed my life. It is weird and uncomfortable the first couple of times you use it, but your sinuses will have never been clearer once you start using it. It has cut my sinus infections down to almost non-existent and I rarely use my allergy meds anymore.
2007-09-19 05:47:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's couple of steroidal nasal sprays- nasocort, flonase, nassonex, etc - that work extremely well for some people (but not for me).
Mucinex helps to clear congestion
Benedryl is generally one of the most effective antihistamines, but it only lasts four hours, it puts people to sleep, and it dries up nasal secretions, which can end up creating another problem.
There are also allergy shots. These don't involve drugs. You takes shots with the things you are allergic to and this desensitizes you. Sometimes works, sometimes not.
2007-09-19 05:46:58 · answer #3 · answered by formerly_bob 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi! Have you consulted your doctor about taking this Afrin? There are really side effects when you take medicament, like you've said this Afrin is known to be addictive, just weigh the good effect for the bad ones.... okay. Ask your physician about Telfast, it is very known effective medicament for allergies! Reminder: Consult your physician first, avoid taking over-the-counter medications, for your doctor knows your medical history better. Chiao!!!...runny nose!
2007-09-19 05:48:43 · answer #4 · answered by blueberry 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there really aren't many meds that can be taken before allergy testing. The allergy testing involves checking for histamines, most of the meds that are OTC are antihistamines, so this would totally invalidate your results.. good luck
2016-05-18 06:22:18 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have the same problem so i have to switch out my allergy meds every so often cuz its like my body gets immune to them right now i'm using over the counter alavert the kind that dissolves (it seems to work faster) i have also used zyrtec and that worked really well for me to (perscribed by doc) and sometimes if they are really bad i will take benadryl at night cuz it makes me drowsy
2007-09-19 06:54:00 · answer #6 · answered by sweet 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Benedryl
2007-09-19 05:41:56 · answer #7 · answered by imnohbdy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can bare the sleepiness, benadryl with allergy. It can make you tired but it works better than a lot of the other allergy meds.
2007-09-19 05:47:21 · answer #8 · answered by ladyluck 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honey is the best !!!
http://www.reallyrawhoney.com/healthfacts.php
It's an awesome healer, I was turned on to honey by a teacher at my son's school. She hasn't even got sick in years.
2007-09-22 19:45:50 · answer #9 · answered by blessed1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nyquil and dayquil
they rock.
2007-09-19 05:41:45 · answer #10 · answered by zoe_yay 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋